IUFB's Mendoza And Sarratt Named To Maxwell Award Watchlist

Two Indiana University football players, quarterback Fernando Mendoza and wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, were named to the Maxwell Award Watchlist on Monday. The Maxwell Award is given annually to the College Player of the Year.

The Maxwell Football Club announced the watch list for the 89th Maxwell Award, which honors the most outstanding player in college football. The award, named after former Swarthmore College standout, sportswriter, and official Robert "Tiny" Maxwell, has been presented since 1937.

The 2024 watch list includes 80 players from a wide range of FBS programs and conferences. It features two returning semifinalists: Cade Klubnik (Clemson) and Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt). Penn State leads all schools with three candidates, while 16 other schools, including Indiana, have two players represented. The SEC and ACC each have 17 candidates, followed by the Big 12 (15) and the Big Ten (14).

Ashton Jeanty from Boise State University was the 2024 Maxwell Award winner and was subsequently selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the first round of the NFL draft.